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Schools

The Pingry School Kicks Off 150th Anniversary Celebration

Former and current Pingry School students share their thoughts about the value of the independent school whose roots extend back to 1861.

The Pingry School, a private school, has had its upper school campus tucked into a southern corner of Bernards Township since 1983. But the independent institution's root go back to its start as a small school for boys established in Elizabeth in 1861.

A series of events and recollections of the school's history began last Friday, May 13, with the Reunion Weekend kickoff to Pingry's planned yearlong 150th anniversary celebration.

Both alumni and current students of the Pingry School agree that what they value most about the school is its strong sense of community, the bond that is formed among the students and faculty, and a dedication to an established Honor Code that is upheld by every member of the school.

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“The community is very close knit and teachers are very involved in their students’ activities,” said Ashley Zhou, a resident of Basking Ridge and a sophomore at Pingry. Zhou had transferred from the William Annin Middle School four years ago.

Zhou commented on the school's approach to learning.

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“In addition to learning from my teachers, I find that I learn a great deal from my peers, because the classes are run in the Harkness style, which allows students to dialogue with one another,” said Zhou.

“At Pingry, it’s cool to be smart,” said Steve Lipper, Director of Alumni Relations, and a 1979 graduate of Pingry.

“At some schools, students may not want to be known as the smart kid, but at Pingry it’s very different. Here, it’s cool to do your homework and to achieve outstanding accomplishments,” said Lipper.

He also said that the approach to education is one of cooperative learning. The classes are often student-led with the teacher serving as the facilitator for education.

He said the school likes to think of the teacher's role as less dominating than in some schools, with less of taking center stage.

An alumni who spent many years teaching and coaching at Pingry is serving as chairman of the 150th Anniversary Celebration. Miller Bugliari, a graduate of Pingry, taught biology and coached soccer at the school for 52 years.

Bugliari said last weekend’s events were just the beginning.

“We will enjoy an entire year of events which will culminate in a gala next spring,” said Bugliari, whose three children are also graduates of the school.

Events throughout the year will include: the viewing of a new film about the history of the school, a lecture series, a student performance at the former Hillside Campus (now Kean University), and an alumni trip to Bermuda.

“The Pingry School is without a doubt the best school in the state academically. We have great facilities and a wonderful variety of courses,” said Bugliari.

Bugliari’s three children graduated from Pingry, one works for the Bartley Bank, and two work in Hollywood, one as a television writer, the other as a theatrical agent.

On Saturday, May 14, junior Andrew Hanna read the history of the school, written by Pat Brisson, to explain the history and special meaning of the school's Honor Code. 

“The Honor Code was exactly the kind of thing Dr. Pingry expected of his students. It covered all kinds of honorable behavior — like doing what’s right, being trustworthy, caring for others, being honest, and working for the good of the school, class or team.  In 1949, the teachers added their signatures to the Code. Living by the Honor Code has become a long and important tradition at The Pingry School,” Hanna read during the presentation.

“I love the opportunity to pursue anything that I want,” said Hanna, a resident of Watchung.  

“Whether it’s sports, drama, no matter what it is, if there is a subject out there that you are interested in, you can pursue here at Pingry,” said Hanna, who is involved in drama but doesn’t see it as a long-term career.

He said his professional aspirations are geared toward becoming a journalist and war correspondent.Hanna said he is involved in theatre now because it affords him a nice break from his academic studies.

Alan M. Danzis, a resident of Hoboken, who graduated from the Pingry School in 1999 attended the reunion with his father Alan L. Danzis of Berkeley Heights who graduated in 1959.

Alan M. said his fondest memory of Pingry was when he performed in the play, the Baker's Wife. "It's one of the best musicals I've ever been in or seen. The sets reached to the ceiling in Pingry," said Danzis. Danzis currently works for Ketchum Public Relations, where he said he uses aspects of his theater training in presentations.

Will Bartlett, a resident of Summit and a senior and President of the Student Body at Pingry echoes the praises of Pingry students past and present.

“I value most the sense of community, the Honor Code and the tight knit bonds that we share,” said Bartlett who is looking toward a career in journalism and sports broadcasting.

As Brisson wrote in a book about the history of the school, “The story of the Pingry School is a story with more moves than a game of checkers.”

While the school was established in Elizabeth, over the course of many decades and with a number of moves in between to accomodate its growth, the the school now has over 1000 students enrolled. The Lower School classes are located in Short Hills, and the Middle and Upper School classes are located in the Martinsville section of Bernards Township.

For more information visit the school’s website

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